www.alexmcleodspeedway.com
ALEX'S NEWS DATES AND MEETING DIARY FOR 2008 ( 2007 archive here)
Sunday 13th January - Newport Rained off
Saturday 12th January - Sittingbourne Rained off
Sunday 13th January - Newport Rained off
Saturday 19th January - Mildenhall Postponed
Sunday 20th January - Sittingbourne Training
Saturday 26th January - Scunthorpe Amateur Race Meeting -
Alex had a good day at Normanby Road finishing 8th, scoring 8 points and coming 2nd in the C final. He rode the track well and was pleased that he was beating Conference & Premier league riders from the gate.
Sunday 27th January - Newport
We initially started the session on the new GM longstroke motor but, not finding the right set up, Alex struggled with the engine over driving so reverted back to a shortstroke to get some laps in. Alex went out with David Howe on a couple of sessions and tried some gating alongside the Elite league star and done well up until the primary chain snapped. So back onto the longstoke with a few alterations and had a few decent run outs until picking up mid 3rd/4th bends and meeting the fence and with both primary & rear chains snapped time to call it a day!
Saturday 2nd February - Mildenhall Postponed
Sunday 3rd February - Newport Postponed
Sunday 10th February - Newport Training
Saturday 16th February - Mildenhall Postponed
Sunday 17th February - Newport
We used this session entirely to practice on the new GM longstroke and after a low key start, Ricky Neale worked with Alex and made changes to the gearing .From then on we seen a big change in the days work and with it producing quicker lap times only to be brought to an abrupt halt at the end of the session when the clutch gearwheel shredded itself along with both chains ( again !)
To coincide with the announcement in the SPEEDWAY STAR ,Internet & Local papers, Alex confirms that Weymouth Promoter Phil Bartlett has asked him to join the Wildcats Conference League squad for season 2008 campaign (more)
Wednesday 27th February - Kings Lynn Training
Thursday 28th February - Kings Lynn Training
We had 2 very good days at Kings Lynn where Alex was able to work along side league riders in getting his overall speed up and experimenting with the longstroke engine set ups for the longer tracks.
He also showed more improvement in his gating
Sunday 2nd March - Sittingbourne Nathan Gaymer Memorial Trophy
Back onto a shortstroke and unfortunately an indifferent day but, never the less, good racing experience in a strong field.
Wednesday 5th March - Poole Press & Practice
Alex only managed to get a couple of sessions at the P&P mainly because of his tumble in the 2nd.
But overall Alex impressed many people with the improvement made over the winter months and was really showing some genuine pace, not only in his practice laps but in a couple of practice races he managed to outgate and push ahead of a couple of good riders to get a couple of 2nd places behind a Premier League standard Dane.
The night came to a premature end when going fast into turn 1, the primary chain snapped and sent him hard into the fence, he was unhurt but walked back to the pits very pleased with his efforts for the evening but disappointed to find that the main bike frame had snapped in half on impact. The third frame to go in so many months and a replacement bill to go with it .
Sunday 9th March - Poole 60th Anniversary meeting
Friday 14th March - Somerset Press & Practice
Unfortunately machinery gremlins took hold on the GM at Somerset for the P&P evening & Academy squad training session after Alex had gone out on his first stint he came back in with loss of power from the engine and curtailed his evening prematurely. On inspection the loss of power was caused by a valve rocker arm breaking up and causing damage to almost every component in the head, Piston, Con Rod and Barrel and unfortunately either a massive rebuild repair or replacement bill ????
Wednesday 26th March - Poole Academy Match Poole Pirates v Somerset Giants ( Challenge )
Alex scores 3 points ( f, 3, 0, f/ex ) for the Pirates Academy team is this challenge match, coming from his first heat win at Wimborne Road !
This was a successful night as Alex showed he is getting up with the others for pace and fell while trying.
Also gating is still improving as he showed a clean pair of heels in his last outing only to be pulled into the fence when drifting out wide under a challenge.
Poole Pirates 18 Somerset Giants 17
Friday 28th March - Somerset Academy Match Somerset Giants v Poole Pirates ( Challenge )
Alex puts has a decent meeting for the Pirates 1 + 1 (f/ex, 1, 0 ) Although only scoring 1 race point from three rides this was another good night on his learning curve.
Alex was, we felt, wrongly excluded from heat one after his tumble because when trying to go around the outside on turn 3, a Somerset rider slowed an clipped Alex sending him into the fence but Academy exclusions always seem to be the rider who falls. However he proved to himself the best way to get over this is by beating the same rider comprehensively in the next race. This was once again a strong field for an Academy match but Alex never looked outclassed all evening and in his last outing, whilst bunched out from the gate, Alex rode under good advice and put in his fastest ever laps around Somerset.
Somerset Giants 18 Poole Pirates 18 ( Agg. Poole Pirates 36 Somerset 35 )
Saturday 29th March - Weymouth Press & Practice
Unfortunately the bad weather put paid to the practice session as such but Alex enjoyed the get together with his Wildcat team mates and the interview and photo sessions.
Dressed in his Wildcats shirt he looked so excited he can't wait for the season to start and to push for a spot in the Conference League.
Sunday 30th March - Eastbourne Training - Cancelled
Wednesday 2nd April - Poole Academy Junior Individual Meeting
Alex managed to finish third in the Final and pick up the £20 prize although it was not exactly one of his best nights riding hampered with a hand injury and not really comfortable with a different clutch set up. But having said that he was in good company and more valuable racing experience.
Saturday 5th April - Poland Unfortunately Alex has had to withdraw from the Academy trip to Poland for several
Sunday 6th April - Poland reasons, none more so than the mechanical problems which need to be
Monday 7th April - Poland addressed for the up and coming season. ( more )
Tuesday 8th April - Poland
Wednesday 9th April - Poland
GM Longstroke rebuilt and put back in chassis just in time to have one of the Jawa shortstrokes serviced
Weymouth 12th April - Weymouth Under 21 qualifier ( Spectating )
Monday 14th April - Reading 2nd half racing
On our first ever ride on the main Reading track we made an error with the gearing on a grippy post meeting track and should have been probably 2 sprocket sizes up.
In his first outing Alex flew from the gate but found the bike was still driving going in to bend 3 and bailed out before he met the airfence. With no time to make gear changes we advanced the ignition right up, hoping to get the machine spinning, but it still wanted to drive into the bends. So a big lesson learned and we will look at the track and conditions more closely next time
Wednesday 16th April - Birmingham Somerset Giants v Birmingham Bulls ( Main Birmingham v Somerset meeting abandoned )
Friday 18th April - Plymouth Debut for Weymouth v Plymouth Devon & Dorset Cup
Alex's debut got his "Wildcats" career of to a miserable start by not only failing to score but after losing the Jawa shortstroke in warm up to oil feed problems, his GM longstroke blew up on the start line of his second race, A WEEK & 2 LAPS after being rebuilt. The blow up was caused by one of the brand new valve caps ( £4 ) breaking in half and the valve dropped destroying the barrel, piston & the head with all its components !!!
Having spent hundreds of pounds on rebuilding the motor its very difficult to take, at this stage of his career, that a failure in a brand new component, costing relatively pennies, can cause complete destruction to an engine and there is no comeback or say warranty on production.
A big learning curve for all of us and we are experiencing what every other Speedway rider has suffered with the modern machines, but once again an unwanted step back and a rethink on engines etc
Saturday 19th April - Weymouth v Plymouth Devon & Dorset Cup - Time curfew stopped after meeting rides
Monday 21st April - Reading 2nd Half racing - Pulled out due to Engine problems
Wednesday 23rd April - Poole Junior Pirates Academy meeting - match postponed as Poole v Eastbourne delayed
Friday 25th April - Weymouth Wildcats v Newport - Challenge match
This was an awful night for Alex with machinery letting him down ( clutch & throttle ) and that in turn sapped his confidence. The Wildcats chalked up their first win of the season over the Newport Mavericks but Alex was disappointed to not been able to have helped in the victory.
After a lot of behind the scenes work we managed to get one machine working to give Alex 2 x 4 laps after the meeting to lift his confidence and to test out the repairs to the machine and as was expected he was quick and rode well. We left the Wessex Stadium hoping we had left a bad month behind and looked forward to rekindling his Conference debut season.
After the dismal machinery problems of late and the ongoing rebuilding of engines, we decided to purchase a Brand new Jawa longstroke engine which was offered to us.
This will go to RNR to be tuned to Alex's needs and we will keep updating on his progress.
Saturday 3rd May - Weymouth v Somerset Giants - Challenge Match
Alex had a mixed night riding at No 7 against the Somerset Giants. In his first heat he stormed from gate 4 to overtake a "Giants" rider on bend 2 and back straight continuing on the outside line round 3 / 4 trying for 2nd spot but caught a bit of grip, lifted slightly and sent him hurtling into the fence at the pit gate. A fall but a great effort !
In his second run out the gremlins hit him as the primary chain snapped on the start line, a quick change onto his second bike ( with an untried brand new longstroke motor ) and the inevitable last place beckoned.
In his third race, back on his No 1 bike, he made a good gate and was chasing down 2nd spot when in lap 3 a "Giants" rider fell on bend 3 / 4 in front of Alex and he had to lay his machine down to quickly to lessen the unavoidable collision. Both lads got up unharmed and the heat was awarded 5 - 1 to the "Wildcats" with Alex getting 2 +1 points.
The damage sustained in his last heat put him back on No2 bike and being a bit eager touched the tapes and was put back on a 15 metres start but, in a good tactical move, Alex was replaced by Tim Webster who went on to win the race. Lots of lessons learnt about the machinery but more importantly about himself in trying to make the big step up to league Speedway.
Monday 5th May - Newport Dragons Club Individual Meeting - Cancelled
Friday 9th May - Somerset "Giants" Academy meeting after Somerset V Rye House match
Unfortunately Alex is trying to get used to the new longstroke and this led to a poorish night scoring 2 points from 3 races and being a bit off the pace, although partially redeeming the night on his last outing where he was on the pace with the others. Dad also realises he might have to work more on getting the set ups right for the Academy meetings where the racing is hurried, and there is no time between races.
Saturday 10th May - Weymouth v Sittingbourne - Conference League ( 2nd Half )
Alex managed to get about 12 laps after the meeting and they were very promising especially as of late he has suffered many machine problems this was a chance to open the throttle up and have blast around the Wessex Stadium under the watchful eye of 'mentor', Ricky Neale. He was fast overall and was pleased himself with the speed he took into the bends.
Wednesday 14th May - Poole Poole Junior Pirates v J.T Commercials Academy Challenge - Rained Off
Saturday 17th May - Weymouth v Wimbledon Dons 2nd Half - Meeting Abandoned heat 9 - Rained Off
Sunday 18th May - Eastbourne Training Session - Cancelled
Friday 23rd May - Somerset Somerset Giants Academy match - Academy match - Rained off
Saturday 24th May - Eastbourne Sussex Junior Individual Championship
Alex scored 7 points from his rides ( 2, 1, 1, 2, 1 ) in the Sussex Junior Championship at Eastbourne and, although his tally could have been more, the racing was closer than the points suggest and was a great help for his racing attitude especially as many of the riders have a bit of experience around the Arlington circuit.
Perhaps the gearing was not suitable in the first couple of outings on a slick inside but Alex pushed himself by riding wider.
For the final 2 rides we made a change to the bike and a more determined effort saw him finish with a boost of confidence to take on to the next meeting.
A pleasing aspect to the night was that his gating was good in all but one of his heats.
Congratulations to Aaron Baseby & John Resch 1st & 2nd on the night
Wednesday 28th May - Poole Poole Junior Pirates v Birmingham 'Bulls' Academy Match - Rained Off
Saturday 31st May - Weymouth Conference Best Pairs - 2nd Half
Sunday 1st June - Reading Training
We decided that this would be a good opportunity to have a full session on the Jawa longstroke around Readings tight training track with the emphasis on getting the set up right.
Alex had a good day, showing some pace and turning well and riding with a pair of Conference League riders for the second half of the session pulled him along well.
After a spell of machinery gremlins this was a big confidence booster getting some serious laps in.
Wednesday 4th June - Poole Poole v Peterborough - After meeting practice
Alex was given plenty of track time after the main match and took advantage of it by putting in some good laps, taking good speed into the bends after some much improved gating.
This was the fastest Alex has been around Wimborne Road and the confidence was there for all to see, it was a shame that a small ignition problem made him finish the evening by doing 3 powerful practice start & first bends.
This practice has put him in a good frame for the following Wednesday at Poole in the J.T.Commercials Academy Challenge.
Saturday 7th June - Weymouth Wildcats v Bristol Bulldogs Challenge - 2nd Half
Alex managed to get 2 x 4 laps sessions in but was hampered by a misfire.
Sunday 8th June - Reading Training
Alex has good day, reaching some high speeds around the tight Reading training circuit, and it also gave us a day where, through a process of elimination, we have solved the misfire we have suffered on his No 1 machine for 2 or 3 meetings. The cause was a split inlet manifold.
His efforts were not in vein as Malcolm Holloway asked him to ride for Reading Academy team the following night at home to Birmingham.
Monday 9th June - Reading Reading Racers Academy v Birmingham Bulls Academy
Alex had mixed fortunes on the very slick & dusty Reading track against Birmingham, scoring 2 points from 2nd place in his first race, retiring when engine stopped ( electrics ) in the second chasing the leader and nasty tumble in his third race.
Wednesday 11th June - Poole Poole Junior Pirates v J.T.Commercials Academy Challenge
Once again Alex's night was marred by a niggly misfire which caused him to stop in his second ride having scored a point from his first and then going on to run in second in his last to make 3 points for the night.
The machinery gremlin has so far left everybody stumped as it is a brand new engine and electrics and we have changed all the other parts in a process of elimination !
Saturday 14th June - Weymouth Alex named as No 8 for Rye House the Conference League match
John Samford asked Alex to stand in as their No 8 for the Conference League match at Weymouth as cover for the rider replacement rule and as expected was not called upon, however there was plenty of time left after the meeting for some practice and after 2 warm up laps Alex went for it by putting in possibly his fastest ever 4 laps at Weymouth.
After a quick start he attacked the track and rode it with more aggression than we have seen for a while, however the gremlin reappeared and it was noticed by some experienced mechanics that, at power, the engine was giving off some disturbing noises so, with costly experience, we stopped immediately and on investigation we found that the head gasket had blown.
The engine was washed the very next morning, taken out of the bike and straight to our engine builder, R.N.R, to dismantle, check the gasket, reseal and / or repair any other problems hopefully in time for the Academy match at Poole on the following Wednesday.
Sunday 15th June - Workshop The Jawa longstroke engine was dismantled to find a broken valve spring, discharged oil had traces of metal which led to splitting the crank cases to find that the big end pin had a burr on it which in turn damaged the roller cage and con - rod. This engine was not all that far from its first full service from new so we decided to upgrade rings, con - rod, cage, pin, valve springs and caps etc now.
This will now mean 2 frantic days to try and get the engine rebuilt for Poole this Wednesday.
Wednesday 18th June - Poole Riding for Poole Junior Pirates v Swindon ( Academy Challenge )
Despite all the hard work by our engine tuner, R.N.R., we were unable to get the longstroke ready for this meeting as the correct con rod was unavailable, but Alex found no problem in going back on to the shortstroke and scored 5 + 1 from 3 rides in this rain affected meeting.
In the first he made a great gate off 4 to tuck in behind team mate Kyle Newman coming out of bend 2 and continued on to finish 2nd for a 5 - 1.
In the second, as the rain fell, he gated fairly well but entering turn 3 at speed he misread how slippery the racing line was and almost spun round, losing all momentum, leaving him stranded at the back.
Alex's third ride was the very next race and the rain persisted making the track very greasy. Three riders went from the tapes and on bend 3 Charlie Saunders slipped off, much to everyone's amazement the Referee ordered the two riders back to the tapes. It was thought he would award the race and /or abandon the meeting at that stage.
On the re run Alex gated first and sensibly done enough to keep safe and win the race in bad condition.
The meeting was abandoned at that point and heat 6 did not run leaving Poole Junior Pirates beating Swindon Sprockets by a 17 - 10 margin.
Our only disappointment was with the weather as we felt that if track conditions were near normal he would have picked up a couple more points.
Saturday 21st June - Weymouth Wildcats v Plymouth ( KO Cup ) 2nd Half.
Longstroke engine now rebuilt, put back into chassis and machine set up for the Wessex Stadium, but the main meeting took a lashing with rain and ran over time and so we did'nt get out tonight.
Wednesday 2nd July - Poole Riding for Poole Junior Pirates v Coventry ( Academy Challenge )
Meeting abandoned after heat one , through a burst air fence, so Alex did not get to ride
Friday 4th July - Somerset Junior Pairs meeting 2nd half of Premier League Somerset v Sheffield
Alex was paired up with Richard Andrews for the Pairs meeting at Somerset and was the first time that he used the new longstroke motor after the recent rebuild and initial misfire problems and everything worked well.
Alex scored 6 points ( 0, 3, 3 ) from 3 rides and made only one real mistake, when pushing hard for 2nd place in his first ride he 'straightened up' in turn 3, 3rd lap and was unable to catch the pack after.
He wanted the bike set up with more drive than he is used to so rather than make any big changes he realised that he had to ride a bit harder and in the second outing, after getting put of line by the rider next to him almost looping from the gate, he put in some hard laps chasing 2nd spot which paid off on the last corner when the rider in front slipped off and Alex, sensibly on a different line, nipped through for second.
The last race probably saw Alex's best race at Somerset when he shot out from gate 2 to 'muscle' past David Gough and keep the lead into lap 3 until Gough got around him to take over at the front, but Alex kept driving on for his second place.
A real confidence boosting ride, with the engine working well, going into the Academy match v Ipswich at Poole.
Saturday 5th July - Weymouth 2nd Half Wildcats v Swindon "Sprockets" Challenge match - Rained Off
Wednesday 9th July - Poole Riding for Poole Junior Pirates v Ipswich ( Academy Challenge ) - Rained Off
Saturday 12th July - Weymouth 2nd Half Wildcats v Plymouth Devils Conference League
We were able to get 3 trips out after the main match and Alex used his time extremely well, not only handling the track well after a full meeting but after 2 quick starts he put in some fast laps and is looking better and better each week.
Saturday 19th July - Weymouth 2nd Half "Bronze Helmet" - Cancelled - Main meeting ran past curfew.
Wednesday 23rd July - Poole Poole Junior Pirates v Newport ( Academy Challenge )
Alex collected 4 points in 3 races ( 0, 1, 3 ) In his first he missed the gate and could never catch up, in his second he rode quite well, picking up a third place and a 4 - 2 win with Kyle Newman, but his last ride was the best. He was on his own for Poole, because Matt Bates had retired from the meeting and it was important to put the meeting beyond doubt by scoring. He came off gate 3 and went into turn 1 as clear leader. Apart from a couple of attempts to get near by Nick Mallet, Alex went on to win and loud cheers were heard from certain parts of the stadium. A good night moving in the right direction !
Thursday 24th July - Swindon Riding for Somerset Giants ( Academy Challenge )
Swindon fielded a very strong team of the 2 Sedgeway brothers, & Richard Sweetman from Australia plus Charlie Saunders, so this was always going to be a tough match. Alex had never ridden at Blunsden before and found the long straights and tight bends hard to handle which led to a retirement in heat 1 and a last in heat 2 both caused by locking up. After a change for heat 3 he scored a 2nd place but even then had to 'hang on' to the bike a bit. A disappointing first visit ( 0, 0, 2 ) but lessons learnt for next time.
Saturday 26th July - Weymouth Riding for Exeter Falcons in the 4 Team Kingswood Trophy
Due to a booking mistake Alex did not ride for Exeter in this meeting because they had already asked a higher grade rider so he had to, disappointingly, settle for meeting reserve and did not get to race ! Alex did manage to get 3 x 4 lap run outs and improved once again with his speed increasing all the time around the Wessex Stadium.
Monday 28th July - Reading Riding for Oxford in Academy Challenge match
Once again Alex struggled with a well worn Reading track and only managed to pick up an awarded 2nd place in 2 heats and the match curtailed by the time curfew.
Wednesday 30th July - Poole Poole Junior Pirates v Eastbourne Eaglets ( Academy Challenge )
Alex scores 3 + 1 ( 2*, 1, 0 f/x ) in a big win for Poole and his first race was more like everyone had wanted from him. From gate one he stormed into the lead and by the pit gate, team mate, Brendan Johnson had gone around him to establish a 5 - 1 lead. Alex then had a terrific battle with the Eastbourne No 1, Michael Bovis, for the 2nd spot clashing on occasions as Bovis took 2nd spot only for Alex to regain it in lap 3 and finish 2nd for the 5 - 1. Heat 2 saw Brendan take the lead with Alex tucked in again for a 5 - 1 but after locking up Strudwick passed him and the pair swapped positions on each lap. Alex had one last effort on bend 4 but he slipped off yet managed to remount and pick up a point.
In his final heat from gate 4 he tried to cut back on bend 2 but was slowed by Resch and Gates and as Resch's bike was spluttering was held up for the remainder of the race. Frustration got the better of Alex as in the final back straight he took a gamble and overtook both Eastbourne riders in a big spurt but went into the slick bends 3/4 far too hard and slipped off and ended his night under the air fence. It was another step forward as he was involved far more physically in the racing and the crowd noticed the effort put in.
Saturday 2nd August - Eastbourne Steve Heath Memorial Trophy 7.30 pm
Alex had a disappointing meeting only getting 3 points from his 4 rides. The first race set the tone for the evening as all of the other 3 moved at the tapes, Alex missed the gate and was never able to catch up. In his second he showed a bit more of what he can be like around Arlington as he got out the gate quickly to chase Michael Bovis and get 2nd. He fell in the 3rd and picked up another point in his 4th when awarded. It seemed to be anight where he could not get to grips with a very slick track !
Sunday 3rd August - Reading Training track - Assisting Scott day from Weymouth
Wednesday 6th August - Poole Poole Junior Pirates v Rye House 'Pocket Rockets' ( Academy Challenge ) / 2nd Half
Alex was disappointingly left out of this match for the inclusion of the Australian youngster Darcy Ward. As a consolation he was given the track to himself after the meeting and used his time well to put in 2 x 4 lap runs which were probably, once again. the quickest to date and a confident enough to run wider as well.
Thursday 7th August - Swindon Swindon Sprockets v Poole Junior Pirates ( Academy Challenge )
He scored 2 + 1 points from 3 rides ( 2*, 0, f/ex 0 ) but he deserved more for his efforts.
In heat one after taking advice from Middlo he came off gate 4 into 2nd place where he stayed running in for a 5 - 1 with Brendan Johnson. This was a confident ride going wider all the time. The 2nd heat saw him miss the start from gate 1 and was never able to catch up and in the 3rd he once again came off gate 4 and came around the outside to take 2nd behind Kyle Newman for a 5 -1 position but he went into bend 1/2 so hard on the second lap while pulling away from the Swindon riders, he slipped off and into the airfence to be excluded.
Mistakes made but another step forward !
Friday 8th August - Somerset 2nd Half Somerset v Redcar
Alex took part in the Somerset Junior Individual and had a good night. Heat one saw him come in 3rd from gate 3 and a good confident ride, His 2nd heat from gate 2 saw him pushed out wide and was left nowhere to go but the fence and was excluded and his 3rd seen him pick up a 2nd place from gate 1. Because of engine problems to others Alex found himself in the Final and was in gate 2. He came 4th behind Winner Brendan Johnson, Jay Pickard 2nd and Matt Bates 3rd but was with them all the way and was the fastest race he's ever had at Somerset culminating in receiving a trophy ! See the photos of the Finalists here
Saturday 9th August - Weymouth 2nd Half Wildcats v Redcar Conference League Rained Off
Sunday 10th August - Reading Training track - Assisting Scott Day from Weymouth Off
Wednesday 13th August - Poole Poole Junior Pirates v Sittingbourne Junior Crusaders ( Academy Challenge )
Alex's season has come to an abrupt halt after suffering a broken arm in a high speed crash in the Academy Challenge match v Sittingbourne Junior Crusaders.
Alex's first planned race was in heat 2 and he made a blistering start from gate 4 to tuck in behind team mate, Kyle Newman, coming out of bend two and started to leave the Sittingbourne pair down the back straight in a 5-1 position.
Alex kept a wide line to avoid holes on the inside line but went out a bit further than he is used to on bend 3 and the bike started to pull hard in the deeper dirt. He had almost left bend 4 when he hit a bad rut which made the bike suddenly lift and take him into the fence at high speed.
It was obvious immediately that he had been hurt, however less than most expected, looking at the ferocity of his impact.
The meeting was abandoned as most of the Medical staff were attending Alex on the track and subsequently in the Ambulance bay and then curfew came in to play.
He was taken to Poole Hospital and was found to have broken his left forearm and, because of the nature of the break, would need to be plated.
He had a successful operation on Saturday afternoon to insert the plate and came out of Hospital on Sunday afternoon.
A lengthy recovery period is called for but the good news is that he is already talking about replacing the almost written off wrecked bike and getting back on the saddle as soon as he is passed fit and he says that the encouragement he has had from well wishers will make him come back stronger.
ALEX WISHES TO THANK ALL THE PEOPLE AT POOLE SPEEDWAY WHO HELPED ON THE NIGHT, ESPECIALLY THE MEDICAL STAFF WHO WERE SO GOOD TO HIM. ALSO, ALL THE PEOPLE ACROSS BRITISH SPEEDWAY WHO HAVE SENT KIND MESSAGES AND GIVEN HIM SO MUCH ENCOURAGEMENT FOR HIS RECOVERY. AND OF COURSE RICKY NEALE FOR "BEING THERE"
Monday 25th August - Poole Poole Pirates v Peterborough Panthers Elite League
Alex faced a big crowd in the interval of the Elite League match and was presented with a donation of £100 from the Academy funds towards the damage he suffered as a result of the recent crash at Wimborne Road. ( Picture )
He received a warm reception and told the crowd how honoured he was to race for "The Pirates", on his home track in front of the ever growing crowds staying on to watch the Academy lads and also the thrill he got from the big cheer on his first win at Poole.
He explained his injury and vowed to be back riding, harder and quicker, as soon as he could.
He also thanked Bob Cole and the Academy fundraisers for their tireless work in helping the Juniors.
Wednesday 27th August - Poole General Hospital
Alex has the break and fracture X rayed and all is healing well and has been given a removable support, rather than a cast, for about 6 weeks to help with the recovery.
He also starts physio next week although a realistic riding comeback is Mid November.
The enforced break will give us all a well earned rest as we have been out riding somewhere almost every week for a long time !!
Monday 1st September - Poole General - Alex starts the physio on his broken arm and has more movement than expected at this stage
Wednesday 3rd September - Poole - Alex invited to join Poole & Coventry riders in collecting money for the
Speedway Riders Benevolent Fund
Monday 29th September - Poole - Alex has the all clear from the Hospital to get back on his machine for practice laps which will
hopefully be at Weymouth on Friday 3rd October after the Wildcats v Swindon Sprockets match
Friday 3rd October - Weymouth - The Weymouth Wildcats v Swindon Sprockets match being cancelled at short notice threw up
an impromptu training session which suited us perfectly. This gave Alex the chance to take to the
track again after his injury without a rush.
It was a good night as from his first ride, he very quickly regained his confidence with no
problems from the injury, and went on to improve as the night went on.
He finished the night tired but more importantly with no reaction to the injury.
See a couple of clips of his comeback here & here
Monday 6th October - Arena Essex - Alex is in Poole Pirates Adam Skornicki's pit crew in the 1st leg of the Elite League play off
Final
Wednesday 8th October - Poole - Alex is released from Hospital treatment as X rays show a full recovery and he given the green
light to resume full scale riding.
Saturday 11th October - Weymouth - Wildcats v Plymouth Devils CL Play off Semi Final 2nd half
Now given the go ahead to resume full riding Alex took the opportunity to have a couple of run outs after the meeting
and went well on a very slick track. Although we used a smooth set up, he is already showing that his confidence is OK
with no reactions to the injury.
Monday 13th October - Poole - Elite League Grand Final Play off 2nd leg - In Adam Skornicki's Pit Team
Friday 17th October - Weymouth - Training session
Saturday 25th October - Weymouth - Wildcats v Boston Barracudas Conference League Play Off Final 1st Leg
Sunday 26th October - Poole - Poole v Eastbourne KO Cup Final 2nd Leg - in Davy Watt's Pit Team
Wednesday 29th October - Kings Lynn - Boston v Wildcats Conference League Play Off Final 2nd Leg - In the pits for Karl Mason
Friday 31st October - Weymouth - Halloween Trophy - Individual and last meeting of the season
Saturday 8th November - Weymouth - End of Season Presentation Evening - Weymouth Football Club.
This site was last updated 30 October, 2008
Copyright Alex Mcleod Speedway Racing - www.alexmcleodspeedway.com 2008
